Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has doubled her monthly salary to approximately $10,000, a government announcement confirmed on Wednesday, despite her administration facing intense public protests and a surge in gang-related violence. The 63-year-old leader’s pay raise was justified by Economy Minister Raul Perez-Reyes, who explained the decision followed a comparative study of presidential salaries across twelve Latin American countries. Before this increase, Boluarte’s salary was ranked 11th, only higher than Bolivia’s president. This salary adjustment contradicts earlier presidential denials in May about any pay raise. The announcement has been met with widespread criticism given Boluarte’s approval rating of just 2…
Author: Podium Reporters
President Bola Tinubu has informed Nigerians living in Saint Lucia that his administration inherited an economy on the brink of collapse but has successfully implemented reforms to restore stability and attract investment. Speaking at an event at the Windjammer Resort in Castries, the President outlined the economic challenges faced and the government’s response. “We inherited a country that was near bankruptcy,” Tinubu declared. “But we have been able to rescue the economy. Nigeria has recovered. We have made the smuggling of our oil unattractive. We have stopped chasing forex papers at the Central Bank of Nigeria.” Despite Nigeria’s still-low per…
The Nigeria Customs Service has proposed spending N14.39 billion on luxury vehicles for senior officers in 2025, forming a significant part of its total N35.27 billion budget for 579 official vehicles. According to the appropriation bill reviewed by Podium Reporters, the bulk of these vehicles will be allocated to high-ranking officials such as Comptrollers, Assistant Comptroller-Generals, and Deputy Comptroller-Generals. The planned purchases include high-end models from brands like BYD hybrids, CHANGAN, MAXUS D90, NISSAN MG5, MIKANO, and NORD. Notable allocations are 20 CHANGAN CS95 SUVs for ACGs at N68 million each, 15 MAXUS D90 SUVs for DCGs at N70 million…
The Federal Civil Service Commission has clarified that the primary challenge facing Nigeria’s civil service is a mismatch of skills and underutilisation of personnel, rather than an issue of overstaffing. This was disclosed by Prof. Tunji Olaopa, Chairman of the Commission, during the launch of the agency’s inaugural strategic plan in Abuja on Wednesday, marking a significant step towards reforming the civil service. Addressing the attendees at a three-day retreat held between June 30 and July 2, 2025, Prof. Olaopa highlighted that while Nigeria’s federal workforce is relatively small compared to global standards, many employees lack the skills necessary for…
The Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda Housing Scheme has officially begun in Calabar, Cross River State, following the donation of 25 acres of land by the state government in the Adiabo community. This gesture marks a significant milestone in the government’s effort to provide affordable housing nationwide. Rt Hon. Victor Udofia, Special Adviser to the President of the Senate and liaison with the Ministry of Housing, visited the Obong of Calabar to express gratitude for the land donation and warm reception. He reiterated the Federal Government’s dedication to the project, which aligns with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,…
On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, delivered a pointed analysis of the recent political realignments involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Keyamo argued that the ADC’s formation and the influx of politicians into the party represent a strategic maneuver primarily benefiting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Keyamo began by highlighting the legal and political implications of politicians abandoning their original parties to join the ADC. “By law, you cannot operate from, or belong to, two or multiple…
Nigeria’s current economic challenges reflect longstanding systemic decay that has hindered national progress. To reverse this trend, urgent and comprehensive reforms are essential. President Bola Tinubu’s administration has embarked on a bold reformatory process aimed at revitalizing the economy and securing a prosperous future for Nigeria. Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu has implemented a series of transformative policies under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). This plan targets sustained economic growth through strategic investments and structural reforms designed to enhance national productivity and diversify the economy. Among these initiatives is the Nigerian Education Loan Fund…
A powerful coalition of opposition politicians convened on July 2, 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja to formally unveil their alliance under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), setting the stage for a united challenge against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. The event was marked by the presence of key political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra Governor Peter Obi, whose involvement underscores the seriousness of the coalition’s ambitions. Also present were former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, both influential players…
The highly anticipated unveiling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a collective opposition platform was unexpectedly disrupted on Wednesday when the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Asokoro, Abuja, cancelled the venue booking less than a day before the event. The unveiling was meant to mark a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s opposition, positioning the ADC as the main vehicle to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. Despite having paid in full for the reservation, organisers were informed on the morning of the event that the hotel could no longer accommodate the programme due…
In a strongly worded response to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s recent self-appointment as Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr. Musa Isa Matara, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, has condemned the move as illegitimate and undemocratic. Addressing party leaders, members, and Nigerians, Dr. Matara emphasized that the ADC is not a “one-man project” nor a platform to be hijacked by any individual or elite coalition without due process. He described Aregbesola’s acceptance speech as lacking transparency and broad-based legitimacy, warning that the appointment was made without consultation of key party organs such as the National Executive Committee (NEC),…